JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville’s mayoral race is headed to a runoff in May.
None of the seven candidates got the required 50% + 1 to win the race, so the top two vote getters, Republican Daniel Davis and Democrat Donna Deegan, will face off in the general election.
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As Tuesday night, Deegan had about 40% of the vote and Davis had 25%.
“Folks are with us because they see the vision that we are looking out to the future, not reactive. We’re trying to bring people into things, so the next step is to continue those conversations,” Deegan said.
ELECTION RESULTS: Jacksonville mayoral, city council races
Those conversations focus on affordable housing, building up downtown and infrastructure. Deegan’s next closest competitor in the polls, Davis, was largely focused on defeating his fellow Republican candidates in a race full of attack ads and mudslinging. But with them out of the way, the heat is likely about to go up on Deegan.
Deegan said she’ll continue to set herself apart from Davis by continuing to reach out to people who feel left behind and unheard.
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In a speech to his supporters, Davis talked about what he learned by knocking on doors and talking to voters on their front porches.
“We can and we will serve the diverse needs of our communities today and build toward the future of what we know Jacksonville can be,” Davis said.
He also talked about the next mayor of the city supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Davis also talked about developing business at JAXPORT, but also protecting natural resources.
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“I believe we can have success at our port and protect our crown jewel, the St. Johns River,” he said.
While tonight was an important step for his campaign, he said it was just the beginning.
“We can celebrate tonight, but it’s just tonight. Tomorrow, the work continues,” he said.
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